MARK WARBURTON hopes no flak – or anything else – is flying his way at today’s agm after joking he needs to keep his suit clean for tomorrow’s game.

But the Rangers boss knows he will have to deal with a s***storm if his Light Blues suffer defeat to struggling St Mirren in the Petrofac Training Cup semi-final.

The lower-league competition is a tournament that has caused the Ibrox club some of their biggest disappointments during the recent years of turmoil surrounding them.

They will be hoping this season is their last attempt at putting this particular piece of silverware in the club’s trophy room with the Buddies standing in their way of a place in the Final against Peterhead.

Alloa embarrassed them at the same stage a year ago when they came from two goals down on one of the Light Blues’ darkest nights, with Raith Rovers beating them in the previous season’s final.

Warburton has success in the competition firmly in his sights this time around but that will come after he stands up at the SECC’s Clyde Auditorium to deliver his progress report in front of shareholders today.

Last year’s meeting was stormy with chairman David Somers heckled as he spoke from a gazebo on the Ibrox pitch but the current boss is hoping it will be a bit calmer this time.

Warburton has been luckier than previous permanent boss Ally McCoist with relative off-field stability, although he has been given a taste of what it was like prior to his arrival with a recent war of words escalating between chairman Dave King and Mike Ashley.

The Rangers gaffer said of his role today: “My speech is all prepared, a few spelling mistakes have been corrected so it’s all good!

“It’s part and parcel of what you have to do. It’s the first time I’ve had to do it so it’s a learning curve.

“If I hear boos then I know I’ll have done something wrong! Hopefully nothing will be thrown because I’ve got my club suit on and need to wear it again on Saturday. So hopefully there will be no objects.

“Seriously, I understand why the supporters have been hostile and I’ve been informed so I’m well aware but hopefully the club have made a lot of progress on various fronts and it’s a healthier climate now.

“I can imagine it was very tough at times for previous managers, I more than appreciate that.

“But my job is to make sure myself, my staff and the players don’t get distracted and just focus on football.”

Warburton’s attention will turn to matters on the park some 24 hours after the agm when his side take on St Mirren at Ibrox.

And he knows the heat will be on if they lose after a defeat and a draw in the league this month once again opened his eyes to the reaction to any slip-up.

And that’s why he reckons praise must be given to his side if they lift the Petrofac Cup – which many people think they simply have to turn up to win.